ArmInfo. US Congressman Jackie Speyer, Co-Chairman of the Armenian Group in the House of Representatives, called for increasing financial assistance to Armenia to $ 40 million.
The press service of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) told ArmInfo that, thus, Speyer joined the amendment to the bill on foreign aid, which was supported by congressmen Frank Pallon and Adam Schiffam. The amendment involves the allocation of $ 40 million for democratic reforms in Armenia.
According to ANCA, Speyer, speaking in the House of Representatives, noted that breathtaking changes had occurred in Armenia over the past year. The “picture of the velvet revolution” in Armenia causes a smile on my face every time I think about it. The transition to democracy was achieved without a single drop of blood, and we must support this new democracy. After the revolution, Armenia held free and fair democratic elections, which brought Nikol Pashinyan to power. Recently, his government signed an agreement with the US for $ 60 million for 2-3 years to promote economic growth and public administration. Although these efforts are welcome, they are not enough. Armenia deserves a clear signal that the United States supports its democratic transformation and will provide resources to achieve it, "the congressman said.
Chairwoman of the Household Representatives Committee Nita Low agreed with these arguments of Speyer and stated that the progress achieved in the process of Armenia’s transition to democracy and the velvet revolution are an encouraging event especially against the background of how many other states are moving in the opposite direction. In this context, Law expressed readiness to work towards providing the necessary resources to Armenia in order to contribute to the further progress of the country.
Another congressman, Hal Rogers, categorically spoke out against this initiative, assuring that this amount was greatly overestimated and could lead to the fact that the United States would be forced to reduce financial assistance to important European partners who were faced with Russia's aggression.
Meanwhile, ANCA Executive Director Aram Ambaryan welcomed this initiative Speyer, noting that they are eagerly awaiting the adoption of its amendment and new funding, which will contribute to the further development of democratic institutions and civil society institutions of Armenia and, ultimately, the expansion and deepening of strategic partnership between the USA and Armenia.